Inventors:
Gregory J. Smith - Woodbridge IL, US
Bruce S. Beattie - Vista CA, US
Robert C. Parrott - Knoxville TN, US
James Micak - Aurora, CA
Paul Garcia - Temecula CA, US
Doug Kimzey - Knoxville TN, US
International Classification:
C02F 1/463, C25B 15/00, C25B 11/03
US Classification:
205742, 204280, 204284, 204279
Abstract:
A method is provided of treating liquid tailings using electro-kinetics by creating a variable voltage between two electrodes in the tailings. Flocculation and water release from the tailings is induced by establishing an electrical field between the two electrodes. The electrodes are connected to an electrical power source having the variable voltage to create a cathode and an anode. Compacting the flocculation solids and removing further water released from the compacting solids allows for the creation of a compacted material having a desired load bearing capacity.